Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve Tanzania (Nyerere National Park) is one of the most beautiful and picturesque Tanzania national parks that any traveler after experiencing the typical African wilderness, away from the crowds, should visit. Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected game reserve in Africa covering about 54,000 square kilometers. The vastness of the reserve comprises of grassy plains, mountains and open woodlands as well as forests. Selous Game Reserve was named after a great hunter and explorer Frederick Selous Courtney.
Established in 1922 and thus one of the oldest Africa safari parks, Selous game reserve was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 in recognition of the rich biodiversity of wildlife and uninterrupted nature. In 2019, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) proposed that the northern sector of the reserve be re-named Nyerere National park in recognition of the first president of the republic of Tanzania, and it was indeed adopted.
Where is Selous Game Reserve Located?
Selous Game Reserve is located in the southern part of Tanzania and makes part of the southern circuit of Tanzania safari destinations that also encompass Ruaha National Park and Mikumi National Park. The southern circuit of Tanzania and Selous game Reserve itself offers a great escape from the large tourist crowds in northern circuit of Tanzania; travelers are rewarded with amazing wildlife safari experiences. Selous Game Reserve or Nyerere National Park is about 219km from Dar es Salaam, only about 4 hours of road drive.
Regions of Selous Game Reserve
Given the vast size of Selous Game Reserve or Nyerere National Park, the park is divided into regions. By the Rufiji River which is the largest river in Tanzania, the Selous Game Reserve is divided into 2 sections or regions including the northern and southern regions.
The Northern Selous region covers only about 5% of the total area of Selous Game Reserve. The northern Selous Game Reserve region is a photographic area that is perfect for photographic safaris; hunting is strictly forbidden in this part of the park.
The southern Selous Game Reserve region which is the southern part of the Rufiji River is divided into various hunting blocks, and yes hunting is allowed in this part of the reserve.
Wildlife in Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park)
There is an abundance of wildlife in Selous game Reserve that you would not tire of encountering while on a Selous game drive among other activities in Selous Game Reserve. There are approximately 4,000 lions, 100,000 wildebeests, 145,000 buffaloes, 40,000 hippos, 35,000 zebras, 250,000 impalas among so many others. Other animals in Selous Game Reserve include large herds of giraffes, Lichtenstein’s hartebeests, leopards, crocodiles, hyenas, elephants, African Wild dogs, sable antelopes, among others.
Birds in Selous Game Reserve
There are over 440 birds in Selous Game Reserve inhabiting the different inhabitants of Selous Game Reserve. Some of the birds in Selous Game Reserve to look out for include the African Kingfishers, Pink-backed pelican, Carmine, White-fronted Bee-eater, Palmnut Vultures, Purple-crested Turaco, Yellow-billed stork, trumpeter hornbill, white-crowned spur-winged plovers, among so many others.
Things to Do in Selous Game Reserve
Given the various attractions in Selous Game Reserve, there are a number of things to do by travelers who visit Tanzania on Selous Game Reserve safaris. Activities in Selous Game Reserve include walking safaris, game drives, bird watching, boat safaris, boat safaris, and others.
What is the Park Entrance Fees to Selous Game Reserve?
To access the park, one has to pay park entrance fees. Selous Game Reserve entrance fees are paid per person per day categorised into adults, paying children and non-paying children as well as according to resident status. 2023 Selous Game Reserve entrance fees are as;
Adult foreign non-residents pay 83$ per person per day, while children pay 24$ per person per day. On top of park entrance fees one has to pay concession fees of 71$ per person per night for adults and 12$ per child per night of staying in a camp/lodge inside Nyerere National Park.
Adult foreign residents pay 41.3$ per person per day while children pay 12$ per child per day. Concession fees if staying inside the reserve or park is 71$ per adult per night, and 12$ per child per night.
Important to note is that the above fees are inclusive of 18% VAT. An adult is a person who is 16 years and above, while a child is a person that is between 5 to 15 years. Persons that are 4 years and below re exempted from park fees.
How Much is A Selous Game Reserve Safari?
A Selous Game Reserve safari price is dependent on a number of factors including time of travel, number of people on a Tanzania safari and ages, accommodation category, as well as length of the safari. On average, a Selous Game Reserve safari can range from 500$ per person per day to as much as 1,500$ per person per day, dependent on the above factors. Get in touch for a well curated Selous Game Reserve safari fit for your budget from our qualified safari consultants.
How To Get to Selous Game Reserve
One can get to Selous Game Reserve by air, road or railway. By road it is only about 4 hours from Dar es Salaam to Selous Game Reserve, with a possible stopover in Mikumi National Park. By air one can fly to Selous Game Reserve from Ruaha National Park on a 90 minute flight, from Dar es Salaam on a 45 minutes flight as well as from Zanzibar. By railway, one can take a Tanzania Zambia railway AZARA from Dar es Salaam.
Where to Stay in Selous Game Reserve or Nyerere National Park
While on a Tanzania safari tour in Nyerere National Park, there are a number of accommodation to choose from, depending on your budget. Some of the accommodation in Selous Game Reserve that one can choose from include Siwandu Camp, Lake Manze Camp, Sand River Selous, Beho Beho, Selous Kinga Lodge, among so many others.
As you are looking for that quiet away-from-the crowds Tanzania safari package, a Selous Game Reserve safari is a great Tanzania safari park to visit. Get in touch with us for a reputable Tanzania safari package fit for just you!
